Synthetic Ecology (SE) is an artist-run research project devoted to screening artists’ moving image and developing collaborative & experimental learning spaces.
SE aims to engage emerging and established artists from different cultures and communities, connected by a sensitivity to bridging ecological thought and technological socio-political issues. SE is critical of ecological and environmental art being inaccessible and un-relatable to contemporary experimental artists’ practice, and therefore aims to form a critical and shifting platform for ecological research and artist’s moving image. Founded by artist Lou Lou Sainsbury.

In its first iteration, Synthetic Ecology hosted an evening of contemporary artists’ moving image screenings and talks accompanied by a day of peer-to-peer professional development workshops for artists. Synthetic Ecology Moving Image Festival 2017 was in collaboration with and hosted at O N C A Gallery, Brighton. Funded by the Arts Council England.

Artist Chris Paul Daniels was in conversation with Louis Joe Sainsbury, Mikhail Karikis and Lydia Heath following the programme.

Programme 3

David Blandy, HD Lifestyle, 2016 6.40 mins

Julia Goodlife, Recreational bathers, 2016 5.38 mins

Sam Williams, until they feel – ahead of them – a barrier, 2016 9.18 mins

Artists Julia Goodlife & Sam Williams were in conversation with Louis Joe Sainsbury, Mikhail Karikis and Lydia Heath following the programme, also including a Q&A via email read aloud with artist David Blandy.

Workshops

Jules Varnedoe – A video-poetic, culinary, performance based around research in oceanic futurism.

Sam Mercer, End Game – A presentation/lecture of a work-in-progress centred around the industries and cultures in Barrow-in-Furness, a town currently known for two industries: within the Devonshire Dock–a large, beige shed constructed in the 1980s–to build the submarines used for the Trident nuclear programme; and the construction of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

Helga Jakobson, Shared Boundaries – A presentation/lecture on Rational compassion, in conjunction with a workshop investigating how humans can interface in a responsible and engaged way with non humans.